When Leanne broke up with her partner in her late 20s, she found herself in a tricky spot. She had just started seeing someone new, but it was way too early to think about moving in together. Meanwhile, her long-time friend Sarah was in a similar boat, single and renting a room in a shared house in Brighton. Both were eager to escape their current situations—Leanne back to Kent, and Sarah wanted to find a more sustainable living arrangement. This is where their friendship took a practical turn, helping them dodge what many call the “singles tax.”
You see, being single often comes with extra costs. For starters, a single person pays 25% less council tax than a couple—not half, just a quarter less. And let’s not forget the endless discounts that come with pairing up—think 2-for-1 cinema tickets, Two-Together railcards, and couples gym memberships. Plus, solo travelers often face a single supplement, which feels a bit unfair, doesn’t it? This situation impacts a significant chunk of the population: about 18.5 million people in the UK had never been married or in a civil partnership as of 2024, making up 36.8% of those aged 16 and over. And around 8.6 million were living alone last year.
So, what did Sarah and Leanne decide to do? They took the plunge and bought a house together. The duo lived there for two years, which they later extended to four. They put together a plan if one of them ever wanted to leave, making sure each shared the mortgage payments fairly, taking their different salaries into account. They even drew up a declaration of trust, ensuring they were protected when it came time to sell. Bills? They split those too, using a joint account managed by a self-proclaimed “bill keeper.”
Leanne recalls, “We called it our happy home, not our forever home,” and indeed, it turned out to be a joyful living space for them. After four years, they sold the house for a profit, and the equity they gained was a nice bonus for both. “Neither of us would have been able to do what we did alone,” Sarah said, “It’s brought us a lot of freedom.”
But, let’s be real here—there’s a hidden singles tax that makes everything take longer and cost more. It creates a constant review of your finances that can feel draining. Julia, another single friend, added, “I think as a society, we are becoming more social in terms of sharing and thinking.” Instead of thinking, “I have to buy this on my own,” people are starting to consider teaming up.
So, how have you managed to cut costs in your life? Have you teamed up with friends for any big purchases? Share your tips! With the current housing market being what it is, many are left wondering: Is buying with friends the answer?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber